The cinematic adaptation of Suzie Miller's celebrated one-woman play, Prima Facie, has unveiled its first official trailer, spotlighting Cynthia Erivo in a demanding central role. Directed by BAFTA winner Susanna White, the narrative follows Tessa, an ambitious young barrister renowned for defending men facing accusations of sexual assault. Her absolute trust in courtroom procedure and legal technicalities unravels abruptly when she becomes an assault survivor herself, forcing her to confront the very mechanisms of law and consent from the other side of the dock.
Translating Stage Intimacy to the Big Screen
Adapting an acclaimed theatrical work for the screen carries distinct creative risks, with some transitions falling flat while others thrive in the medium. Susanna White appears to have approached Miller's original monodrama with deliberate visual craft, avoiding stagey conventions. Jodie Comer previously commanded West End and Broadway stages as Tess, earning both Olivier and Tony awards for her performance. Stepping into those formidable shoes, Cynthia Erivo anchors a gripping journey of self-defence and survival. The production leans heavily into cinematic techniques, using claustrophobic camera angles, intimate close-ups, and shallow depth of field to draw audiences directly into Tess' psychological perspective. Crucially, playwright Suzie Miller penned the screenplay herself, preserving the urgent thematic core of the original work.
Ensemble Cast and Theatrical Release Date
While the stage version relied on a solitary performer, the film surrounds Erivo with an accomplished supporting cast. The lineup features Daniel Ings, Noma Dumezweni, Simon Russell Beale, Toheeb Jimoh, Harry Treadaway, and Elizabeth Dulau. Their presence expands the legal world and social orbit surrounding Tessa's crisis. Exploring complex questions surrounding the judicial handling of sexual assault and the legal definition of consent, this compelling courtroom drama is scheduled to arrive in cinemas across the United Kingdom on November 13.
